MANILA (PHILIPPINES): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $350 million loan package aimed at expanding financial access for women in Pakistan, as part of broader efforts to promote gender-inclusive economic growth in the country.
The funding will support the second phase of the Women-Inclusive Finance Sector Development Program, which comprises a $300 million policy-based loan and a $50 million financial intermediation loan. The initiative is designed to enhance credit facilities and guarantees that enable women entrepreneurs to access finance and grow their businesses.
“This program is ambitious, with a goal to reach over 2 million women in Pakistan to help them fulfill their potential,” said Sani Ismail, ADB Director. “It combines access to finance with legal and policy reforms and capacity-building for women’s entrepreneurship.”
Pakistan has one of the world’s lowest levels of female economic participation, ranking 145th out of 146 countries in the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index. One of the key barriers is the gender gap in access to finance, which stood at 37% in 2024, according to ADB.
The program aligns with the Government of Pakistan’s Country Partnership Strategy (2021–2025), which prioritizes gender equality and inclusive economic development. By addressing structural barriers and increasing institutional support for women, the initiative aims to foster a more balanced and resilient economy.
Founded in 1966, the ADB is a regional development bank dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific. It is owned by 69 members, 50 of which are from the region.
